Page 45 of Wings of Betrayal

He removes his arm from around my shoulder and tilts my chin up to look at him. “I know it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, but it’ll be okay. All of this will work out in the end. You just have to ride the waves, and soon you will find calm waters.”

A smile tugs at my lips, and I can’t help but feel immense gratitude for having him in my life. What a turn of events, going from being one of my most disliked angels to one of my favourite.

“Now that’s the Zarla I know. Keep smiling, beautiful, because your smile can light up the entire Kingdom.”

I wrap my arms around him, and he pats my back. “Thank you.”

He laughs. “Anytime. Now come on. We have somewhere to be.”

I pull back and stare at him in confusion. “Where?”

“The academy. We’ve been asked to help train the future guardians and seconds for battle to potentially fight the lost ones.”

I’m unsure exactly how my expression reads, but he quickly adds, “It’ll be a good distraction.”

And then I’m sold.

We fly to the academy, and the Master is waiting for us outside on the grass as we descend. I retract my wings and walk over to greet him.

“Master,” I say with a nod.

He smiles gently, and then Finlay joins me and gives the Master a nod in greeting. The Master looks between Finlay and me several times, as if he’s considering something.

“I am pleased to see you two getting along so well. I always knew you would. Eventually. The gods have plans for us all.” His focus settles on me. “I am proud of you, Zarla, and I know your mother would be, too.”

Thinking of my mother sends a pang through my heart. Although I was able to spend a little time with her in recent months, I haven’t found a way back to her since. I’m unsure if she’s preventing it on purpose, or if something darker may be at play.

“Why do you appear so sad, my dear?”

I blink a few times and replay the Master’s question through my mind. “Oh, I was just thinking about her. There’s something you should know. I have visited her a couple of times now.”

He frowns. “I don’t understand. Your mother is in the Spirit Realm.”

I swallow hard and side-eye Finlay, who appears as confused as the Master.

“I have been to see her. I don’t know if it’s the Spirit Realm, but I have visited her, wherever she is.”

The Master clasps his hands behind his back and narrows his gaze at me. “Zarla, no angel can pass through to the Spirit Realm. At least, not one who is still alive. It is unheard of. Are you sure this wasn’t just a dream?”

“I’m sure.”

He frowns for the briefest of moments before what looks like realisation crosses his features. But as quickly as it appears, it vanishes, replaced by his usual calm demeanor.

What was that all about?

“Come. Let me introduce you to some students.”

That was strange.Finlay’s voice fills my mind.And when were you going to tell me about your mother?

It was. He knows something. And I’m sorry. There’s been a lot going on at the moment, but I was planning to, I promise.

Okay,he says,but you are going to tell me about it later, all right?

I can’t help but giggle.Yes, all right. Now, let’s focus.

There’s definitely something the Master isn’t telling me, but I decide to leave it. For now, at least.

He leads Finlay and me around the arena, introducing us to various angels, all of whom seem to know who I am, which is strange. They even seem to hold great respect for Finlay, which I think he needed to see and hear. I know he still beats himself up for the way he behaved over the last few months.

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